Royal New Zealand Artillery

Royal New Zealand Artillery
Association Inc. 76th Reunion, 12–14 Nov 2010. Pictorial Report Part 3 of 4 by John Osborne DTT, PhD, FSG
13 Nov, 1.30‐4.00pm Display of current equipment courtesy of 16 Field Regiment RNZA in the grounds of the Spa Hotel. L119, 105mm Light Gun pictured with the gunners, and some members of the visiting Royal Australian Artillery Assn in black shirts. Members of the Gun Crew above; standing L‐R LBdr Taka, Gnr Reid, Gnr Pratt, Gnr Loa, keeling L‐R LBdr Pedersen, Gnr Howarth. The Royal Ordnance 105mm Light Gun was initially introduced into NZ service in 1987. This Gun provides close, indirect fire support to the Army’s combat troops, and can be employed in either offensive, or defensive operations. Length of gun in action on platform 6685mm, Length of gun folded (for travel) 5287mm. Width 1778mm, Complete weight of gun 1814kg, plus platform 96kg. Elevating mass 1020kg, Max Rate of Fire 6rpm. The L119 configuration utilises the L20A1 ordnance & fires the US M1 series of ammunition to a range of 11,400m. It can fire a variety of types of ammunition, including high explosive, illumination and smoke as required. The 105mm Light Gun can be transported under‐
slung from a helicopter as one load, or alternatively can be towed using the A‐frame which is an integral part of its structure.
Marked; ORD 105mm GUN FD / L20 A1 1986 TO REDUCE RECOIL SHORTEN ROD Following are images showing the transformation of the gun for road transport. The seven man gun crew manhandle the gun, remove from bed, raise wheel off the ground using stand, remove wheel, rotate 180 degrees gun / barrel assembly on carriage, replace wheel, remove stand, fit bed to carriage, cover gun, fit lights etc, attach gun to truck. Weight on towing eye 155kg. Lt (IG) Steven Lodge School of Artillery RNZA Lynton ‐ center foreground leads the gun transformation; From Action ready to folded for travel The British Army is upgrading its existing high mobility 105mm Light Guns to keep the weapon system in active service until 2025. The Capability Enhancement Program focuses on weight reduction, enhancements to its laser positioning system (LINAPS) for improved accuracy, & inclusion of a new family of improved ammunition. The United States Armed Forces procured the 105mm Light Gun as the M119. The 105mm Light Gun is an air‐
transportable 105mm caliber towed howitzer intended for rapid reaction forces such as paratroopers. It entered service in the British Army in 1975 and since then has been sold to more than 17 international customers. It saw combat in 1982 during the Falklands conflict. Besides, it was deployed providing fire support during conflicts in Iraq, Balkans and Africa. Firing at the LoS has a maximum range of 800 meters and beyond the LoS up to 17,200 meters..
There are currently 1112 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed on 14 peacekeeping operations, UN missions and defence exercises across 10 countries Acknowledgements and special thanks to; Capt (IG) John Gordon and Lt (IG) Steve Lodge, School of Artillery, Land Operations Training Centre,Linton.